Forget Finding Bigfoot, Find Bobo
Posted by: Craig Woolheater on June 30th, 2011
My good friend Mike Esordi of the Believe It Tour has posted the following:
Am I the only one that’s wondering where the real James “Bobo” Fay is on Animal Planet’s show Finding Bigfoot? Watching the episodes, I feel bad that Bobo is basically used as a prop. A Squatch stand-in if you will.
Bobo Fay and Mike Esordi looking for Bigfoot tracks near Orleans, California
In real life, Bobo is quite a character and a very funny guy. All of us in the Bigfoot community, that have been on expeditions with Bobo or have just hung out with him at a Bigfoot event, know that he’s much more animated than portrayed on Finding Bigfoot.
I’ll never forget the time, at the opening of the Bigfoot Wing at the China Flat Museum in Willow Creek, California, when I was having lunch during the break with Bobo, Daniel Perez, and a few others. This was the first time I met Bobo and he had me in stitches. Between the serious stories Daniel was sharing and the side commentary that was provided by Bobo it made for quite an entertaining afternoon.
Don’t get me wrong, Bobo takes the research side extremely seriously and he’s very knowledgeable about the subject. He just knows how to have fun along with all of that.
Knowing what it’s like to be in the field with Bobo, I can’t help, but think that Finding Bigfoot would be a much better show if they included some of the real Bobo rather than just the big guy that makes for a good Squatch comparison.
Mike Esordi
If you are a Bobo fan, you can show your appreciation at the I LOVE JAMES “BOBO” FAY facebook page.
About Craig Woolheater
Co-founder of Cryptomundo in 2005.
I have appeared in or contributed to the following TV programs, documentaries and films:
OLN's Mysterious Encounters: "Caddo Critter", Southern Fried Bigfoot, Travel Channel's Weird Travels: "Bigfoot", History Channel's MonsterQuest: "Swamp Stalker", The Wild Man of the Navidad, Destination America's Monsters and Mysteries in America: Texas Terror - Lake Worth Monster, Animal Planet's Finding Bigfoot: Return to Boggy Creek and Beast of the Bayou.
LOL! He’s such a doll!
This reminds me of MST3K’s rendition of Boggy Creek. “It’s Bobo!”
I like Bobo. He seems very genuine.
Bobo is awesome.
If he did get more time, he’d be the best entertaining character on the show.
I too would like to see Bobo take a bigger role on the show.
He is the best thing about the show because no matter what he says, he believes it. I like the honesty.
He should go on the show “Survivor”, he is great on camera and folks would root for him.
@CDC
That would be awesome! Bobo on Survivor!
I too like Bobo. While I may not always agree with the things he says on the show, I too believe he is genuine. I also like that he knows how to take and answer criticism in a calm, professional manner. He also seems willing to hear, understand and accept the alternative explanations. I think that he should be the lead on the show.
As if I didn’t like him enough before, after hearing Cliff Barackman explaining the ‘bun-bun’ story just made my heart melt.
I agree that Bobo should get more camera time. Perhaps in the new season they will let him shine a bit more as they need to change the format a bit. Either make it research driven or make it character driven and from what I’m reading Bobo is very much a likable character. A cross between a gentle giant and Gene Wilder.
I don’t know Bobo other than the show, but he comes across as a great guy. Carry on, sir.
I’d guess most of the issue is the cutting room floor as to what makes it in the show. However, I’ve also gotten the feeling that he is kind of mediating sometimes between Moneymaker and the others…and probably the producers.
Still, he’s definitely a character and one of the reasons I tune in–savvy, knows his stuff and genuinely is working to try to get to the source of the Bigfoot mystery.
Keep the faith!
Bobo just standing in the woods/riverbed/field while people video tape/still photo/heat signature him has done more to debunk and/or put into persepctive Bigfoot evidence that a ton of other shows can’t. To me that is the true benefit of this show despite all the stupid/lame/foolish pro-Bigfoot “information” the show presents as well as all the over TV shows before it. They should try “re-creating” the Patterson footage with Bobo!
Not to get TOO personal, but how about some physical stats on Bobo – height & weight? If they are gonna keep using him as a Squatch stand-in, it would be helpful to know those dimensions.
Do you mind, Bobo?
How tall is Bobo, anyone know?
I think I just figured out the mystery of Bigfoot.
It’s Bobo!
Think about it, he’s always out in the woods, all over the country, hiding behind trees, and making loud screaming noises.
Case solved!
If I remember correctly from the show, they were saying that Bobo is 6’4″, don’t have a weight.
Seems like the kind of guy you want to hang out and drink beer with. A friend of mine and I were working in the Seattle area and we were standing outside talking at about 2am. There was this horrible yelling, screeching noise. I wonder now if it was Bobo and team.
Waiting to see more of the show.
Cheers